DALLAS, TX – A controversial event titled ‘From Marxism to Islam’ recently took place at the Islamic Association of North Texas (IANT), hosted by the controversial ICNA Dallas. The event openly promoted the concept of transitioning from Marxist ideology to Islam, drawing attention from concerned community members and activists who warn that this reflects a deeper ideological collaboration between radical left-wing and Islamic movements, known as the Red-Green Alliance.
The Event: ‘From Marxism to Islam’ featured prominent speakers affiliated with radical revolutionary movements, including the Young Lords Party and the Black Panther Party. Critics see this intersection of Marxist and Islamic thought as a calculated effort to merge revolutionary leftist rhetoric with Islamic doctrine, creating a united front that threatens to destabilize American civic values.
Radical Revolutionary Background: The Young Lords Party (YLP) originated in Chicago in 1968, evolving from a Puerto Rican street gang into a Marxist-Leninist political organization. Drawing inspiration from the Black Panther Party, the YLP adopted revolutionary nationalist ideology, advocating for Puerto Rican independence, racial equality, and socialist transformation. Their manifesto combined Marxism, socialism, and anti-colonialism, with prominent actions like the “Garbage Offensive” and the occupation of Lincoln Hospital to demand better services in marginalized neighborhoods.
The Black Panther Party (BPP), founded in Oakland, California, in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, was a revolutionary socialist organization to combat systemic racism and police brutality. Known for their militant self-defense tactics, the BPP also implemented community programs such as the Free Breakfast for Children Program and established health clinics to support underserved communities. The BPP’s Ten-Point Program called for justice, equality, and an end to police violence.
A United Radical Front: Both groups collaborated as part of the Rainbow Coalition, a multicultural alliance uniting marginalized communities to challenge racial and economic injustice. The Young Lords and Black Panthers saw their struggles as interconnected, advocating for “revolutionary unity” against capitalist and imperialist systems. This historical partnership laid the foundation for modern alliances that merge Marxist and Islamic political strategies.
National Strategy Context: ICNA’s activities in Texas are not isolated incidents. As part of a coordinated national strategy, ICNA chapters across the United States actively work to merge radical ideologies with community outreach, using local platforms to promote divisive narratives.
Strategic Convergence: By featuring speakers linked to movements with a legacy of revolutionary socialism and racial militancy, ICNA Dallas appears to be fostering a modern iteration of the Red-Green Alliance, where radical leftist movements and Islamic ideologies converge. This calculated partnership seeks to exploit historical grievances and social justice narratives to justify radical change, posing a direct challenge to American civic values.
Key Figures Involved
Dr. Asif Hirani: A central figure within ICNA Dallas and the Dean of the AMAL Institute, Hirani actively promotes bridging Islamic teachings with contemporary social justice struggles. His involvement signals ICNA’s strategic push to integrate Marxism with Islam.
Imam Khalid Griggs: Known for his leadership at the Community Mosque of Winston-Salem, Griggs has a documented history of advocating for Sharia governance. His role as Director of Civic Engagement at ICNA Council for Social Justice further highlights the group’s effort to embed Islamic principles in American civic life.
Imam Rahim Ocasio: A former Young Lords Party member, Ocasio exemplifies the ideological fusion of Marxist revolution and Islamic advocacy, emphasizing the blending of leftist rhetoric with religious transformation.
Imam Jihad Abdulmumit: A so-called former Black Panther and member of the Black Liberation Army, Abdulmumit’s stance as an advocate for political prisoners reflects ICNA’s portrayal of jihadis as persecuted victims, masking their aggressive ideological agendas.
Troubling Context
ICNA’s Radical Ties: ICNA Dallas is a chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), a national organization long associated with radical Islamic movements. Founded as the American affiliate of Jamaat-e-Islami, ICNA has faced scrutiny for its connections to extremist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and al-Qaeda. Despite presenting itself as a community outreach organization, ICNA has consistently promoted speakers known for advocating jihad and Sharia supremacy.
It is not surprising that the Texas chapter has close ties with the controversial radical imam Yasir Qadhi, the spiritual leader of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). This is the same mosque behind the highly controversial EPIC City project – an expansive Sharia-compliant Islamic enclave currently under intense state investigation for potential legal violations.
Qadhi is prominently featured in ICNA’s promotional materials, highlighting his influential role within the organization:
Deceptive Strategies
Masking Radicalism as Community Engagement Critics argue that ICNA’s use of community events to promote radical agendas is part of a broader national strategy. By disguising its ideological aims as cultural or religious outreach, ICNA is embedding divisive principles under the guise of social justice and community building. The Dallas event is just one example of ICNA’s ongoing effort to normalize radical narratives through public programming.
Previous Controversies
This is not ICNA Dallas’s first use of public platforms to advance its ideological agenda. Previously, the group erected billboards in Houston during the Christmas season, promoting a distorted portrayal of Jesus to provoke and undermine Christian beliefs.
The Red-Green Alliance:
A Historical Strategy of Subversion. The marriage of Marxism and Islamism is not new. During the Soviet era, communists initially tried to co-opt Islamic leaders to further anti-Western agendas. Eventually, these movements clashed as both sought ideological dominance. Today, the Red-Green Alliance persists as a tactical convergence: using Marxist social justice rhetoric to normalize Sharia law and erode American legal norms.
Why Texans Should Be Alarmed The fusion of Marxist and Islamic ideology through events like ‘From Marxism to Islam’ threatens to destabilize traditional American values. The Red-Green Alliance, where radical left-wing and Islamic groups collaborate to advance their respective agendas, aims to subvert democratic norms, eroding civic unity.
Call to Action
Texans should be vigilant and hold local officials accountable for allowing private 501(c)(3) entities to use their tax-exempt status to engage in radical recruitment. Awareness campaigns, legislative measures, and community mobilization are essential to countering ICNA’s subversive efforts. Law enforcement and civic leaders must closely monitor such activities to protect public order and maintain the integrity of Texas communities.
The collaboration between Marxist and Islamic ideologies under ICNA Dallas’ initiatives is not just a local issue but part of a broader strategy to weaken Western governance through ideological infiltration. Texans must proactively safeguard their communities from this dangerous ideological convergence.
